Experiences with Sense & Sensibility

Garlic Vine (Mansoa alliacea)

The Garlic Vine is an ornamental plant with a woody stem growing as either a shrub or vine to a height of 2-3 meters. It has bright green leaves, strong twining tendrils and trumpet shaped flowers. The flowers bloom purple and change to a lighter shade of lavender with age, eventually fading to almost white. This climber is native to the Amazon forest but is currently abundant in southern India.

Parts of this beautiful climber smell like garlic, hence the name Garlic Vine. In Kerala it is frequently planted in villages as a snake repellent due to its strong garlic odor. The entire plant has medicinal properties and can be used as a remedy for the common cold, coughs, and respiratory disorders.